[MD] Social level for humans only

[Krimel]

>[Krimel]
> Seeking to justify a 21st century systems in terms of 19th century
concepts
> seems utterly doomed from my perspective.

It almost like nothing happened in the world of science or philosophy after
1933 when Pirsig entered grade school. Most current scientist referenced in
either book is Heisenberg whom was awarded the 1932 Nobel Prize in Physics,
he died in 1976. Most recent philosopher, F.S.C. Northrop in "The Meeting of
East and West: An Inquiry Concerning World Understanding," published in
1946. But he didn't die until 1992. Why no exploration of his later work?
Why no dialogue with a living person who's work attracted him?

While this might be understandable in ZaMM, but in Lila, published in 1991,
it's troubling to say the least.

[Krimel]
While my comment was directed at Pirsig's chief apologist, you are right it
applies to Pirsig as well. I have noticed this before especially with
regards to Pirsig's mangling of evolutionary theory where he talks about
Mach and Tillich and seems not to have noticed Gould, Dawkins or Wilson. If
he had, he probably wouldn't have burdened us with Tillich.

Northrop is an interesting case. Pirsig claims to be his disciple but you
are right he only address that single work. I bought that book awhile back
and started to read it but it seemed really to be talking about Cold War
issues and the global politics of the late 1940's. It might have sounded
profound on a troop ship heading into the Korean conflict but 60 years
later, I lost interest early on. Andre apparently persevered but I thought
it was a waste of time.